Difference between SONOFF iHost and ZBBridge Ultra

At SONOFF, our mission is simple: to make life easier. We’re dedicated to transforming daily routines and enhancing convenience for people and households worldwide through cutting-edge technology and a relentless focus on user-centered innovation. With the increasing popularity of smart devices in homes, the need for stability, reliability, and compatibility with third-party platforms in the smart home industry has never been more crucial. Users rely on seamless integration and consistent performance as they connect an ever-growing number of devices. In the rapidly expanding world of smart home technology, choosing a Zigbee bridge is essential for creating a seamless and efficient ecosystem. To cater to diverse user preferences, SONOFF has introduced two products: iHost and ZBBridge-U. Both act as bridges between Zigbee devices and various smart home ecosystems, yet each offers a unique approach and functionality. Let’s explore the specific features of each product.

iHost is tailored as a localized server solution, distinct from cloud-based platforms like eWeLink and its associated app. Users interact directly with the iHost’s host system for all operations. Notably, all automation settings, operation logs, and device data are stored locally, ensuring privacy and data security.

Its Zigbee network design prioritizes compatibility, accommodating a wide array of Zigbee devices from different brands and categories for unified control and management. Moreover, iHost supports the installation of various extension applications via Docker, enhancing its versatility for diverse usage scenarios.

Additionally, iHost facilitates integration into popular smart home ecosystems such as Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home through the Matter bridge, enabling seamless interoperability with other devices and platforms.

ZBBridge Ultra is the next step in the evolution from its predecessor, ZBBridge-P. It comes with upgraded main control and memory components, ensuring stable connections with a greater number of sub-devices. Unlike iHost, ZBBridge-U relies on eWeLink Cloud and its app for operation. Its primary function is to bridge Zigbee devices to eWelink. Notably, ZBBridge-U allows for the integration of various SONOFF Zigbee devices into other Matter-compatible smart home ecosystems, expanding interoperability and functionality.